Jesuit Discusses Matteo Ricci with Vatican Radio

Jesuit Father Felix Körner, head the Faculty of Missiology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, sat down with Vatican Radio recently to discuss Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci, the Chinese missionary who died in 1610.

In the interview, Fr. Körner highlights two of Ricci’s convictions: first, “his deep love and respect shown to the Chinese by the beautiful language he used,” which led the Chinese to feel he understood their rich cultural heritage. Secondly, was Ricci’s “deep love and conviction that the presence of Christ transforms everything and can also transform Chinese culture,” according to Fr. Körner.

Ricci’s belief that “I respect you and I rediscover Christ through the respect I have for a foreign culture,” was what made it work, says Fr. Körner.

Listen to the whole program at the Vatican Radio website. [Vatican Radio]